UT Dallas Syllabus for atec4370.501 06f taught by (gch061000)
Content
Course Professor Term Meetings
ATEC 4370 SECTION: 501 Topics in Art and Technology: Special Effects Garman Herigstad Fall 2006 Tuesday, 7:00pm - 9:45pm
Professor’s Contact Information Office Phone To Be Announced Other Phone none Office Location 1.702 Email Address [email protected] Office Hours Tuesday / Thursday 5:30 - 6:45 PM Other Information Procedural modeling and animation interface questions can be left at "contact" at atec-4370-501.vizyacky.com. All homework written documents must be turned in with the correct document formatting in both PDF and hard copy. Filenames must follow an exact naming convention and homework without will not be accepted, even if you turn in on time. All written and computer files must start with the student UID and class number in the file name followed by the assignment number, then the student's version. An incorrect filename will not be considered. General Course Information Pre-requisites, Co- None
requisites, & other restrictions Course Description
Learning Outcomes
Introduction to Special Effects for computer generated visual effects for live action feature films and commercials. Overview of the various careers within a feature film visual effects production, the number systems, common uses of math (algebra and trigonometry). Overview of the Linux shell usage and customization for 3D computer graphics production and its advantages for a large feature film job system. Introduce Linux scripting for the development of basic tools for repetitive tasks such as renaming files and loops. Introduction to the fundamentals of CG, the 2D and 3D object spaces, how numbers are used, how geometry models are constructed, transformations, rotations and deformations, methods of animation and how final images are created. The fundamentals of procedural working and problem solving for the creation of visual effects such as massive variation geometry, explosions, natural effects. 1. Describe the production work flow for the visual effects of a feature length live-action film for 3D computer generated and 3D composited effects and describe the specific jobs related to the 2D and 3D visual effects components in this production workflow. 2. Define common Linux shell commands and demonstrate how to move around a job system directory structure using only shell commands and edit files, identify and create user environmental
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variables and aliases, create basic shell script commands and execute them, create a basic hscript text script to create to externally modify a hip file. 3. Describe the types of spaces used in computer graphics, the differences between 2D and 3D computer graphics, the color layers in 2D images. Describe the various space environments such as the Cartesian coordinate system, UV coordinates, geometry attributes and changes over time, the components of the obj, geo geometry formats. 4. Identify and describe the geometry primitives of 3D geometry, the methodologies of constructing 3D geometry models, the methods of creating animation using key frames, expression, kinematics and data referencing, the components required to render a 3D computer image and how the rendered image layers are used in post production with live action elements for the creation of visual effects. 5. Identify the places numbers in 3D and 3D computer graphics can be accessed and manipulated. 6. Explain geometry attributes and how they are used to manipulate the geometry point positions, color and other components, demonstrate how to manipulate geometry attributes (position, color, alpha, normal, velocity) over time. 7. Become comfortable with the procedural modeling interface, identify and demonstrate basic techniques of polygon and NURBS modeling, create and edit procedural networks, methods of common modeling techniques with the addition of procedural controls for variation and animation, create variables for fast manipulation of complex procedural networks, read and write moving geometry for use with other 3D software tools. 8. Create a setup for an effect such as exploding bricks or roof tiles, animation of colors and shader parameters or "an imperfect factory" object assembly shop. 9. Understand the foundation for creating complex natural effects such as ocean swells, moving fields of grain and clouds. 10. Become comfortable with standard computer graphics terminology for computer modeling techniques and with The procedural modeling and animation interface's terminology for modeling. Required Texts & The Magic of The procedural modeling and animation interface: Materials ISBN:1598630822 The procedural modeling and animation interface 101: Interface and Workflow: Gnomon Workshop Suggested Texts, Links: vizyacky.com/dir_links/vizy_links.html Readings, & Tutorials: tutorials.vizyacky.com (New and In Progress) Materials Ops and Functions: opp.vizyacky.com (New and In Progress) Assignments & Academic Calendar
[Topics, Reading Assignments, Due Dates, Exam Dates] All assignments are due at the start of the following class unless otherwise indicated. A PDF file must be created to describe which operators are used and what functions are used. Naming conventions are mandatory and without exception. August 22 Class 01
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August 29
September 05
September 12
Lecture/Discussion 01: Introduction to Special Effects, the Linux operating system, procedural modeling. Introduction to the procedural modeling and animation interface, working in the viewport and in the network editor, building a desktop, overview of fundamental modeling tools. Finding operator, function, and variable help. Demonstration of how to create procedural networks created with polygons. Overview of polygon tools. for creation of points, lines, curves, polygons, patches and NURBS, procedural approach to non-static modeling. Keeping notes for now and the future. Reading Assignment 01A: Houdini Help: Surface Operators, Grid SOP, Color SOP, Sphere SOP, Line SOP, Merge SOP, Copy SOP, Edit SOP, Transform SOP. Reading Assignment 01B: Gnomon DVD Chapters 1-3 Reading Assignment 01C: Cunningham Chapters Work-Session: Common Linux usage, intro to The procedural modeling and animation interface, intro to procedural modeling Assignment 01A: Storyboard for two ideas with one paragraph written description of the effect. Assignment 01B: Creation of a model using the following surface operators. Grid SOP, Color SOP, Sphere SOP, Line SOP, Merge SOP, Copy SOP, Edit SOP, Transform SOP. Provide one rendered jpg frame, the hip file and the written description. Assignment 01C: Purchase a notebook with a bound edge and number the pages and create a table of contents. Class 02 Lecture/Discussion 02: Create basic shell script command and execute them. The 2D and 3D geometry space. Variables and math functions to manipulate the geometry attributes. Reading Assignment 02A: Houdini Help: Expression Cookbook. Reading Assignment 02B: Gnomon DVD Chapters 4-6 Reading Assignment 02C: Cunningham Chapters Work-Session: Review notebooks. Review storyboard ideas in class. Discuss the feasibility of the projects & suggestions. Working on the demonstrated examples. Assignment 02A: Revised storyboard with a work breakdown. Assignment 02B: Create a model using these the point SOP to modify the position and color attributes using position and bounding variables. Provide one rendered jpg frame, the hip file and the written description. Class 03 Lecture/Discussion 03: Introduction to noise functions for modeling and demonstration of how noise is created and used in visual effects. Introduction to the Primitive SOP. Reading Assignment 03A: Houdini Help: Noise functions. Reading Assignment 03B: Gnomon DVD Chapters 7-9 Reading Assignment 03C: Cunningham Chapters Work-Session: Review the revised storyboards. Working on the demonstrated examples. Assignment 03A: Modify geometry using noise to effect the geometry position and color attributes over time. Use noise with both the Point SOP and Primitive SOP. Provide one rendered jpg frame, the hip file and the written description. Assignment 03B: My favorite effects Movie and why (1-page), plus Director, VFX Supervisor, All Visual Effects Companies. Class 04 Lecture/Discussion 04: Demonstration of NURBS modeling tools. Modify position using the normal
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September 19
September 26
October 03
October 10
October 17
Reading Assignment 04A: Houdini Help: Reading Assignment 04B: Gnomon DVD Chapter 10 Reading Assignment 04C: Cunningham Chapters Work-Session: Working on the demonstrated examples. Assignment 04A: Modify the using noise to effect the geometry position by using the geometry's normal attribute. Render three-second animation. Provide movie file, the hip file and the written description. Assignment 04B: Final Project Ideas, storyboard, written description and breakdown. Class 05 Lecture/Discussion 05: Demonstration of intermediate complex procedural networks created with parameter and attribute animation. Demonstration of the lookup-table concept. Reading Assignment 05A: Houdini Help: Reading Assignment 05B: Cunningham Chapters Work-Session: Approval of Final Project Ideas. Working on the demonstrated examples. Assignment 05A: Create and modify geometry based on the lookup table concept. Render three-second animation. Provide movie file, the hip file and the written description. Assignment 05B: Last Submission of Final Project Ideas. Class 06 Lecture/Discussion 06: Methods of creating animation and variation in geometry. Reading Assignment 06A: Houdini Help: Reading Assignment 06B: Cunningham Chapters Work-Session: Working on the demonstrated examples. Assignment 06: Create an animated procedural network " imperfect factory" object assembly shop from a list of provided examples. Write out one bgeo file, one rendered jpg file, the hip file and the written description. Class 07 Lecture/Discussion 07: Demonstration of the foundations for creating complex effects such as ocean swells Reading Assignment 07A: Houdini Help: Reading Assignment 07B: Cunningham Chapters Work-Session: Working on the demonstrated examples and in class work on student final project. Assignment 07A: Create an animated ocean with the floating object from assignment 06. Render three-second animation. Provide movie file, the hip file and the written description. Class 08 Midterm Exam: Analysis of an effects setup. Lecture/Discussion 08: Approval of Final Project Ideas. Demonstration of the foundations for creating complex effects with massive amounts of geometry variation. Reading Assignment 08A: Houdini Help: Reading Assignment 08B: Cunningham Chapters Work-Session: Working on the demonstrated examples and in class work on student final project. Assignment 08: None Class 09 Lecture/Discussion 09: Description of the 2D and 3D spaces used in computer graphics, components of 2D image layers, uses for various image formats, differences between 2D and 3D, overview of essential terminology for computer graphics. Reading Assignment 09A: Houdini Help:
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October 24
October 31
November 07
November 14
November 21
November 28
Reading Assignment 09B: Cunningham Chapters Work-Session: Working on the demonstrated examples and in class work on student final project. Assignment 09: None Class 10 Lecture/Discussion 10: Lecture and Lab: Steps to modify user login environmental variable and compare a default login settings with those created when using a shell based job system. Create the text based scripts and tools with headers for csh, bash. Create tools to manipulate text inside files, rename files and produce files with padded and unpadded numbers. output and input data from that program into the directory structure using environmental variables. Reading Assignment 10A: Houdini Help: Reading Assignment 10B: Cunningham Chapters Work-Session: In class work on Final Project. Assignment 10A: Final Project progress hip file. Assignment 10A: Final Project written progress report (pdf). Class 11 Lecture/Discussion 11: Elements required for 3D rendering, how images are rendered and how image layers are used in visual effects post production. Examination. Reading Assignment 11A: Houdini Help: Reading Assignment 11B: Cunningham Chapters Work-Session: In class work on Final Project. Assignment 11: None Class 12 Lecture/Discussion 12: Lecture: Production workflow, specific jobs, the jargon of production, careers paths within this production flow, resources for information about production. Reading Assignment 12A: Houdini Help: Reading Assignment 12B: Cunningham Chapters Work-Session: In class work on Final Project. Assignment 12: None Class 13 Lecture/Discussion 13: Identify and create user environmental variables and aliases. Overview of an example directory structure used in a large feature film visual effects company. Learn to navigate, store and retrieve data using commands, aliases and environmental variables. Reading Assignment 13A: Houdini Help: Reading Assignment 13B: Cunningham Chapters Work-Session: Final Projects All Due. Presentations of Final Project Group A. Assignment 13: No assignments.. Class 14 Lecture/Discussion 14: Demonstration on how to read and write moving geometry for use with other software packages. Reading Assignment 14A: Houdini Help: Reading Assignment 14B: Cunningham Chapters Work-Session: Presentations of Final Project Group B. Assignment 14: No assignments. Class 15 Final Exam Presentation of Final Project
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Course Policies
Grading (credit) Criteria A: 91-100 Excellent B: 81-90 Above Average C: 71-80 Average D: 1-70 Poor F: 00-60 Failing 35% All Assignments will be graded. And all project based assignments must be accompanied by a written description. The following is a breakdown for each assignment and the strict naming convention the files must observe. The version number is at the discretion of the student. These filename use the example NetID xyz099000. Replace your own NetID, then the rest of the name of the assignment should be exactly as shown, except the version number can be your won choice.
5%: Assignment 01A Storyboard Idea xyz099000_4370501_asg01a_v01.pdf 2% Assignment 01B Model: Basic xyz099000_4370501_asg01b_v01.hip xyz099000_4370501_asg01b_v01.pdf 2% Assignment 01C Notebook and Prep visual inspection 2% Assignment 02A Storyboard Revised Idea xyz099000_4370501_asg02a_v01.pdf 2% Assignment 02B Model: Point SOP xyz099000_4370501_asg02b_v01.hip xyz099000_4370501_asg02b_v01.pdf 2% Assignment 03A Model: Noise xyz099000_4370501_asg03a_v01.geo 2% Assignment 03B Visual Effects Movie Paper. xyz099000_4370501_asg03b_v01.pdf 2% Assignment 04A Model: Modify the Normal xyz099000_4370501_asg04a_v01.hip xyz099000_4370501_asg04a_v01.pdf xyz099000_4370501_asg04a_v01.mov 2% Assignment 04B Final Project Ideas xyz099000_4370501_asg04b_v01.pdf 2% Assignment 05A Model: Modify the Normal xyz099000_4370501_asg05a_v01.hip xyz099000_4370501_asg05a_v01.pdf xyz099000_4370501_asg05a_v01.mov 2% Assignment 05B Final Project Ideas (Final Submission) xyz099000_4370501_asg05b_v01.pdf 3% Assignment 06 Model: Imperfect Factory xyz099000_4370501_asg06_v01.hip xyz099000_4370501_asg06_v01.pdf xyz099000_4370501_asg06_v01.geo xyz099000_4370501_asg06_v01.jpg 3% Assignment 07 Model: Natural Effect xyz099000_4370501_asg07_v01.hip xyz099000_4370501_asg07_v01.pdf xyz099000_4370501_asg07_v01.geo xyz099000_4370501_asg07_v01.mov Assignment 08: None Assignment 09: None 2% Assignment 10A Final Project Progress File xyz099000_4370501_asg10a_v01.hip 2% Assignment 10B Final Project Progress Report xyz099000_4370501_asg10b_v01.pdf Assignment 11: None Assignment 12: None
Assignments
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Assignment 13: None Assignment 14: None
Quizzes Midterm Exam Final Project
10% 05% Analysis of an effects setup. Final Project 30%
Final Project File xyz099000_4370501_final_v01.hip Final Project Report xyz099000_4370501_final_v01.pdf Final Project Animation xyz099000_4370501_final_v01.mov
Final Exam Make-up Exams Classroom Citizenship Extra Credit Late Work Class Attendance
Field Trip Policies Student Conduct and Discipline
10% There will be no makeup exams. 10% The ability to communicate, be helpful, and demonstrate good working manners are critical to success. 02% Extra Credit for analysis of a provided procedural modeling and animation interface file. 50% off the grade given per day late. (If you scored 100%, then 1-day late would be 50%, two days late would be 50% of that = 25%, then 12.5% and 6.25%) Attendance is mandatory. Lack of attendance will affect your grade because absences will not only lave holes in understanding of the lesson contents, but also degrade the benefit to other students in regard to discussions and work sessions. Coming to class late or leaving early will also be counted as absences without prior approval from the instructor. Excessive absences can result in grade penalty or even failure of the course. Three unexcused absences will result in an adjustment in the final grade down by one level (ex. 'A" down to a 'B'). There will be no field trips in this class. The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and regulations for the orderly and efficient conduct of their business. It is the responsibility of each student and each student organization to be knowledgeable about the rules and regulations which govern student conduct and activities. General information on student conduct and discipline is contained in the UTD publication, A to Z Guide, which is provided to all registered students each academic year. The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of recognized and established due process. Procedures are defined and described in the Rules and Regulations, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Part 1, Chapter VI, Section 3, and in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures. Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-6391). A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of citizenship. He or she is expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the Regents’ Rules, university regulations, and administrative rules. Students are subject to discipline for violating the standards of conduct whether such conduct takes place on or off campus, or whether civil or criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct.
Academic Integrity
The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty. Because the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the work done by the student for that degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high standard of individual honor in his or her scholastic work.
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Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts or omissions related to applications for enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission as one’s own work or material that is not one’s own. As a general rule, scholastic dishonesty involves one of the following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion and/or falsifying academic records. Students suspected of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary proceedings. Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from any other source is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the university’s policy on plagiarism (see general catalog for details). This course will use the resources of turnitin.com, which searches the web for possible plagiarism and is over 90% effective. Email Use The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication between faculty/staff and students through electronic mail. At the same time, email raises some issues concerning security and the identity of each individual in an email exchange. The university encourages all official student email correspondence be sent only to a student’s U.T. Dallas email address and that faculty and staff consider email from students official only if it originates from a UTD student account. This allows the university to maintain a high degree of confidence in the identity of all individual corresponding and the security of the transmitted information. UTD furnishes each student with a free email account that is to be used in all communication with university personnel. The Department of Information Resources at U.T. Dallas provides a method for students to have their U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to other accounts. The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any collegelevel courses. These dates and times are published in that semester's course catalog. Administration procedures must be followed. It is the student's responsibility to handle withdrawal requirements from any class. In other words, I cannot drop or withdraw any student. You must do the proper paperwork to ensure that you will not receive a final grade of "F" in a course if you choose not to attend the class once you are enrolled. Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities, of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures. In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other fulfillments of academic responsibility, it is the obligation of the student first to make a serious effort to resolve the matter with the instructor, supervisor, administrator, or committee with whom the grievance originates (hereafter called “the respondent”). Individual faculty members retain primary responsibility for assigning grades and evaluations. If the matter cannot be resolved at that level, the grievance must be submitted in writing to the respondent with a copy of the respondent’s School Dean. If the matter is not resolved by the written response provided by the respondent, the student may submit a written appeal to the School Dean. If the grievance is not resolved by the School Dean’s decision, the student may make a written appeal to the Dean of Graduate or Undergraduate Education, and the deal will appoint and convene an Academic Appeals Panel. The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final. The results of the academic appeals process will be distributed to all involved parties. Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations. Incomplete As per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work
Withdrawal from Class
Student Grievance Procedures
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Grades
unavoidably missed at the semester’s end and only if 70% of the course work has been completed. An incomplete grade must be resolved within eight (8) weeks from the first day of the subsequent long semester. If the required work to complete the course and to remove the incomplete grade is not submitted by the specified deadline, the incomplete grade is changed automatically to a grade of F. The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational opportunities equal to those of their non-disabled peers. Disability Services is located in room 1.610 in the Student Union. Office hours are Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The contact information for the Office of Disability Services is: The University of Texas at Dallas, SU 22 PO Box 830688 Richardson, Texas 75083-0688 (972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY) Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make those reasonable adjustments necessary to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability. For example, it may be necessary to remove classroom prohibitions against tape recorders or animals (in the case of dog guides) for students who are blind. Occasionally an assignment requirement may be substituted (for example, a research paper versus an oral presentation for a student who is hearing impaired). Classes enrolled students with mobility impairments may have to be rescheduled in accessible facilities. The college or university may need to provide special services such as registration, notetaking, or mobility assistance. It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an accommodation. Disability Services provides students with letters to present to faculty members to verify that the student has a disability and needs accommodations. Individuals requiring special accommodation should contact the professor after class or during office hours.
Disability Services
Religious Holy Days
The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required activities for the travel to and observance of a religious holy day for a religion whose places of worship are exempt from property tax under Section 11.20, Tax Code, Texas Code Annotated. The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as possible regarding the absence, preferably in advance of the assignment. The student, so excused, will be allowed to take the exam or complete the assignment within a reasonable time after the absence: a period equal to the length of the absence, up to a maximum of one week. A student who notifies the instructor and completes any missed exam or assignment may not be penalized for the absence. A student who fails to complete the exam or assignment within the prescribed period may receive a failing grade for that exam or assignment. If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the purpose of observing a religious holy day] or if there is similar disagreement about whether the student has been given a reasonable time to complete any missed assignments or examinations, either the student or the instructor may request a ruling from the chief executive officer of the institution, or his or her designee. The chief executive officer or designee must take into account the legislative intent of TEC 51.911(b), and the student and instructor will abide by the decision of the chief
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executive officer or designee. Off-Campus Instruction and Course Activities Off-campus, out-of-state, and foreign instruction and activities are subject to state law and University policies and procedures regarding travel and risk-related activities. Information regarding these rules and regulations may be found at http://www.utdallas.edu/BusinessAffairs/Travel_Risk_Activities.htm. Additional information is available from the office of the school dean.
These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.
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ATEC 4370 SECTION: 501 Topics in Art and Technology: Special Effects Garman Herigstad Fall 2006 Tuesday, 7:00pm - 9:45pm
Professor’s Contact Information Office Phone To Be Announced Other Phone none Office Location 1.702 Email Address [email protected] Office Hours Tuesday / Thursday 5:30 - 6:45 PM Other Information Procedural modeling and animation interface questions can be left at "contact" at atec-4370-501.vizyacky.com. All homework written documents must be turned in with the correct document formatting in both PDF and hard copy. Filenames must follow an exact naming convention and homework without will not be accepted, even if you turn in on time. All written and computer files must start with the student UID and class number in the file name followed by the assignment number, then the student's version. An incorrect filename will not be considered. General Course Information Pre-requisites, Co- None
requisites, & other restrictions Course Description
Learning Outcomes
Introduction to Special Effects for computer generated visual effects for live action feature films and commercials. Overview of the various careers within a feature film visual effects production, the number systems, common uses of math (algebra and trigonometry). Overview of the Linux shell usage and customization for 3D computer graphics production and its advantages for a large feature film job system. Introduce Linux scripting for the development of basic tools for repetitive tasks such as renaming files and loops. Introduction to the fundamentals of CG, the 2D and 3D object spaces, how numbers are used, how geometry models are constructed, transformations, rotations and deformations, methods of animation and how final images are created. The fundamentals of procedural working and problem solving for the creation of visual effects such as massive variation geometry, explosions, natural effects. 1. Describe the production work flow for the visual effects of a feature length live-action film for 3D computer generated and 3D composited effects and describe the specific jobs related to the 2D and 3D visual effects components in this production workflow. 2. Define common Linux shell commands and demonstrate how to move around a job system directory structure using only shell commands and edit files, identify and create user environmental
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variables and aliases, create basic shell script commands and execute them, create a basic hscript text script to create to externally modify a hip file. 3. Describe the types of spaces used in computer graphics, the differences between 2D and 3D computer graphics, the color layers in 2D images. Describe the various space environments such as the Cartesian coordinate system, UV coordinates, geometry attributes and changes over time, the components of the obj, geo geometry formats. 4. Identify and describe the geometry primitives of 3D geometry, the methodologies of constructing 3D geometry models, the methods of creating animation using key frames, expression, kinematics and data referencing, the components required to render a 3D computer image and how the rendered image layers are used in post production with live action elements for the creation of visual effects. 5. Identify the places numbers in 3D and 3D computer graphics can be accessed and manipulated. 6. Explain geometry attributes and how they are used to manipulate the geometry point positions, color and other components, demonstrate how to manipulate geometry attributes (position, color, alpha, normal, velocity) over time. 7. Become comfortable with the procedural modeling interface, identify and demonstrate basic techniques of polygon and NURBS modeling, create and edit procedural networks, methods of common modeling techniques with the addition of procedural controls for variation and animation, create variables for fast manipulation of complex procedural networks, read and write moving geometry for use with other 3D software tools. 8. Create a setup for an effect such as exploding bricks or roof tiles, animation of colors and shader parameters or "an imperfect factory" object assembly shop. 9. Understand the foundation for creating complex natural effects such as ocean swells, moving fields of grain and clouds. 10. Become comfortable with standard computer graphics terminology for computer modeling techniques and with The procedural modeling and animation interface's terminology for modeling. Required Texts & The Magic of The procedural modeling and animation interface: Materials ISBN:1598630822 The procedural modeling and animation interface 101: Interface and Workflow: Gnomon Workshop Suggested Texts, Links: vizyacky.com/dir_links/vizy_links.html Readings, & Tutorials: tutorials.vizyacky.com (New and In Progress) Materials Ops and Functions: opp.vizyacky.com (New and In Progress) Assignments & Academic Calendar
[Topics, Reading Assignments, Due Dates, Exam Dates] All assignments are due at the start of the following class unless otherwise indicated. A PDF file must be created to describe which operators are used and what functions are used. Naming conventions are mandatory and without exception. August 22 Class 01
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August 29
September 05
September 12
Lecture/Discussion 01: Introduction to Special Effects, the Linux operating system, procedural modeling. Introduction to the procedural modeling and animation interface, working in the viewport and in the network editor, building a desktop, overview of fundamental modeling tools. Finding operator, function, and variable help. Demonstration of how to create procedural networks created with polygons. Overview of polygon tools. for creation of points, lines, curves, polygons, patches and NURBS, procedural approach to non-static modeling. Keeping notes for now and the future. Reading Assignment 01A: Houdini Help: Surface Operators, Grid SOP, Color SOP, Sphere SOP, Line SOP, Merge SOP, Copy SOP, Edit SOP, Transform SOP. Reading Assignment 01B: Gnomon DVD Chapters 1-3 Reading Assignment 01C: Cunningham Chapters Work-Session: Common Linux usage, intro to The procedural modeling and animation interface, intro to procedural modeling Assignment 01A: Storyboard for two ideas with one paragraph written description of the effect. Assignment 01B: Creation of a model using the following surface operators. Grid SOP, Color SOP, Sphere SOP, Line SOP, Merge SOP, Copy SOP, Edit SOP, Transform SOP. Provide one rendered jpg frame, the hip file and the written description. Assignment 01C: Purchase a notebook with a bound edge and number the pages and create a table of contents. Class 02 Lecture/Discussion 02: Create basic shell script command and execute them. The 2D and 3D geometry space. Variables and math functions to manipulate the geometry attributes. Reading Assignment 02A: Houdini Help: Expression Cookbook. Reading Assignment 02B: Gnomon DVD Chapters 4-6 Reading Assignment 02C: Cunningham Chapters Work-Session: Review notebooks. Review storyboard ideas in class. Discuss the feasibility of the projects & suggestions. Working on the demonstrated examples. Assignment 02A: Revised storyboard with a work breakdown. Assignment 02B: Create a model using these the point SOP to modify the position and color attributes using position and bounding variables. Provide one rendered jpg frame, the hip file and the written description. Class 03 Lecture/Discussion 03: Introduction to noise functions for modeling and demonstration of how noise is created and used in visual effects. Introduction to the Primitive SOP. Reading Assignment 03A: Houdini Help: Noise functions. Reading Assignment 03B: Gnomon DVD Chapters 7-9 Reading Assignment 03C: Cunningham Chapters Work-Session: Review the revised storyboards. Working on the demonstrated examples. Assignment 03A: Modify geometry using noise to effect the geometry position and color attributes over time. Use noise with both the Point SOP and Primitive SOP. Provide one rendered jpg frame, the hip file and the written description. Assignment 03B: My favorite effects Movie and why (1-page), plus Director, VFX Supervisor, All Visual Effects Companies. Class 04 Lecture/Discussion 04: Demonstration of NURBS modeling tools. Modify position using the normal
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September 19
September 26
October 03
October 10
October 17
Reading Assignment 04A: Houdini Help: Reading Assignment 04B: Gnomon DVD Chapter 10 Reading Assignment 04C: Cunningham Chapters Work-Session: Working on the demonstrated examples. Assignment 04A: Modify the using noise to effect the geometry position by using the geometry's normal attribute. Render three-second animation. Provide movie file, the hip file and the written description. Assignment 04B: Final Project Ideas, storyboard, written description and breakdown. Class 05 Lecture/Discussion 05: Demonstration of intermediate complex procedural networks created with parameter and attribute animation. Demonstration of the lookup-table concept. Reading Assignment 05A: Houdini Help: Reading Assignment 05B: Cunningham Chapters Work-Session: Approval of Final Project Ideas. Working on the demonstrated examples. Assignment 05A: Create and modify geometry based on the lookup table concept. Render three-second animation. Provide movie file, the hip file and the written description. Assignment 05B: Last Submission of Final Project Ideas. Class 06 Lecture/Discussion 06: Methods of creating animation and variation in geometry. Reading Assignment 06A: Houdini Help: Reading Assignment 06B: Cunningham Chapters Work-Session: Working on the demonstrated examples. Assignment 06: Create an animated procedural network " imperfect factory" object assembly shop from a list of provided examples. Write out one bgeo file, one rendered jpg file, the hip file and the written description. Class 07 Lecture/Discussion 07: Demonstration of the foundations for creating complex effects such as ocean swells Reading Assignment 07A: Houdini Help: Reading Assignment 07B: Cunningham Chapters Work-Session: Working on the demonstrated examples and in class work on student final project. Assignment 07A: Create an animated ocean with the floating object from assignment 06. Render three-second animation. Provide movie file, the hip file and the written description. Class 08 Midterm Exam: Analysis of an effects setup. Lecture/Discussion 08: Approval of Final Project Ideas. Demonstration of the foundations for creating complex effects with massive amounts of geometry variation. Reading Assignment 08A: Houdini Help: Reading Assignment 08B: Cunningham Chapters Work-Session: Working on the demonstrated examples and in class work on student final project. Assignment 08: None Class 09 Lecture/Discussion 09: Description of the 2D and 3D spaces used in computer graphics, components of 2D image layers, uses for various image formats, differences between 2D and 3D, overview of essential terminology for computer graphics. Reading Assignment 09A: Houdini Help:
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October 24
October 31
November 07
November 14
November 21
November 28
Reading Assignment 09B: Cunningham Chapters Work-Session: Working on the demonstrated examples and in class work on student final project. Assignment 09: None Class 10 Lecture/Discussion 10: Lecture and Lab: Steps to modify user login environmental variable and compare a default login settings with those created when using a shell based job system. Create the text based scripts and tools with headers for csh, bash. Create tools to manipulate text inside files, rename files and produce files with padded and unpadded numbers. output and input data from that program into the directory structure using environmental variables. Reading Assignment 10A: Houdini Help: Reading Assignment 10B: Cunningham Chapters Work-Session: In class work on Final Project. Assignment 10A: Final Project progress hip file. Assignment 10A: Final Project written progress report (pdf). Class 11 Lecture/Discussion 11: Elements required for 3D rendering, how images are rendered and how image layers are used in visual effects post production. Examination. Reading Assignment 11A: Houdini Help: Reading Assignment 11B: Cunningham Chapters Work-Session: In class work on Final Project. Assignment 11: None Class 12 Lecture/Discussion 12: Lecture: Production workflow, specific jobs, the jargon of production, careers paths within this production flow, resources for information about production. Reading Assignment 12A: Houdini Help: Reading Assignment 12B: Cunningham Chapters Work-Session: In class work on Final Project. Assignment 12: None Class 13 Lecture/Discussion 13: Identify and create user environmental variables and aliases. Overview of an example directory structure used in a large feature film visual effects company. Learn to navigate, store and retrieve data using commands, aliases and environmental variables. Reading Assignment 13A: Houdini Help: Reading Assignment 13B: Cunningham Chapters Work-Session: Final Projects All Due. Presentations of Final Project Group A. Assignment 13: No assignments.. Class 14 Lecture/Discussion 14: Demonstration on how to read and write moving geometry for use with other software packages. Reading Assignment 14A: Houdini Help: Reading Assignment 14B: Cunningham Chapters Work-Session: Presentations of Final Project Group B. Assignment 14: No assignments. Class 15 Final Exam Presentation of Final Project
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Course Policies
Grading (credit) Criteria A: 91-100 Excellent B: 81-90 Above Average C: 71-80 Average D: 1-70 Poor F: 00-60 Failing 35% All Assignments will be graded. And all project based assignments must be accompanied by a written description. The following is a breakdown for each assignment and the strict naming convention the files must observe. The version number is at the discretion of the student. These filename use the example NetID xyz099000. Replace your own NetID, then the rest of the name of the assignment should be exactly as shown, except the version number can be your won choice.
5%: Assignment 01A Storyboard Idea xyz099000_4370501_asg01a_v01.pdf 2% Assignment 01B Model: Basic xyz099000_4370501_asg01b_v01.hip xyz099000_4370501_asg01b_v01.pdf 2% Assignment 01C Notebook and Prep visual inspection 2% Assignment 02A Storyboard Revised Idea xyz099000_4370501_asg02a_v01.pdf 2% Assignment 02B Model: Point SOP xyz099000_4370501_asg02b_v01.hip xyz099000_4370501_asg02b_v01.pdf 2% Assignment 03A Model: Noise xyz099000_4370501_asg03a_v01.geo 2% Assignment 03B Visual Effects Movie Paper. xyz099000_4370501_asg03b_v01.pdf 2% Assignment 04A Model: Modify the Normal xyz099000_4370501_asg04a_v01.hip xyz099000_4370501_asg04a_v01.pdf xyz099000_4370501_asg04a_v01.mov 2% Assignment 04B Final Project Ideas xyz099000_4370501_asg04b_v01.pdf 2% Assignment 05A Model: Modify the Normal xyz099000_4370501_asg05a_v01.hip xyz099000_4370501_asg05a_v01.pdf xyz099000_4370501_asg05a_v01.mov 2% Assignment 05B Final Project Ideas (Final Submission) xyz099000_4370501_asg05b_v01.pdf 3% Assignment 06 Model: Imperfect Factory xyz099000_4370501_asg06_v01.hip xyz099000_4370501_asg06_v01.pdf xyz099000_4370501_asg06_v01.geo xyz099000_4370501_asg06_v01.jpg 3% Assignment 07 Model: Natural Effect xyz099000_4370501_asg07_v01.hip xyz099000_4370501_asg07_v01.pdf xyz099000_4370501_asg07_v01.geo xyz099000_4370501_asg07_v01.mov Assignment 08: None Assignment 09: None 2% Assignment 10A Final Project Progress File xyz099000_4370501_asg10a_v01.hip 2% Assignment 10B Final Project Progress Report xyz099000_4370501_asg10b_v01.pdf Assignment 11: None Assignment 12: None
Assignments
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Assignment 13: None Assignment 14: None
Quizzes Midterm Exam Final Project
10% 05% Analysis of an effects setup. Final Project 30%
Final Project File xyz099000_4370501_final_v01.hip Final Project Report xyz099000_4370501_final_v01.pdf Final Project Animation xyz099000_4370501_final_v01.mov
Final Exam Make-up Exams Classroom Citizenship Extra Credit Late Work Class Attendance
Field Trip Policies Student Conduct and Discipline
10% There will be no makeup exams. 10% The ability to communicate, be helpful, and demonstrate good working manners are critical to success. 02% Extra Credit for analysis of a provided procedural modeling and animation interface file. 50% off the grade given per day late. (If you scored 100%, then 1-day late would be 50%, two days late would be 50% of that = 25%, then 12.5% and 6.25%) Attendance is mandatory. Lack of attendance will affect your grade because absences will not only lave holes in understanding of the lesson contents, but also degrade the benefit to other students in regard to discussions and work sessions. Coming to class late or leaving early will also be counted as absences without prior approval from the instructor. Excessive absences can result in grade penalty or even failure of the course. Three unexcused absences will result in an adjustment in the final grade down by one level (ex. 'A" down to a 'B'). There will be no field trips in this class. The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and regulations for the orderly and efficient conduct of their business. It is the responsibility of each student and each student organization to be knowledgeable about the rules and regulations which govern student conduct and activities. General information on student conduct and discipline is contained in the UTD publication, A to Z Guide, which is provided to all registered students each academic year. The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of recognized and established due process. Procedures are defined and described in the Rules and Regulations, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Part 1, Chapter VI, Section 3, and in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures. Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-6391). A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of citizenship. He or she is expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the Regents’ Rules, university regulations, and administrative rules. Students are subject to discipline for violating the standards of conduct whether such conduct takes place on or off campus, or whether civil or criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct.
Academic Integrity
The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty. Because the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the work done by the student for that degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high standard of individual honor in his or her scholastic work.
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Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts or omissions related to applications for enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission as one’s own work or material that is not one’s own. As a general rule, scholastic dishonesty involves one of the following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion and/or falsifying academic records. Students suspected of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary proceedings. Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from any other source is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the university’s policy on plagiarism (see general catalog for details). This course will use the resources of turnitin.com, which searches the web for possible plagiarism and is over 90% effective. Email Use The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication between faculty/staff and students through electronic mail. At the same time, email raises some issues concerning security and the identity of each individual in an email exchange. The university encourages all official student email correspondence be sent only to a student’s U.T. Dallas email address and that faculty and staff consider email from students official only if it originates from a UTD student account. This allows the university to maintain a high degree of confidence in the identity of all individual corresponding and the security of the transmitted information. UTD furnishes each student with a free email account that is to be used in all communication with university personnel. The Department of Information Resources at U.T. Dallas provides a method for students to have their U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to other accounts. The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any collegelevel courses. These dates and times are published in that semester's course catalog. Administration procedures must be followed. It is the student's responsibility to handle withdrawal requirements from any class. In other words, I cannot drop or withdraw any student. You must do the proper paperwork to ensure that you will not receive a final grade of "F" in a course if you choose not to attend the class once you are enrolled. Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities, of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures. In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other fulfillments of academic responsibility, it is the obligation of the student first to make a serious effort to resolve the matter with the instructor, supervisor, administrator, or committee with whom the grievance originates (hereafter called “the respondent”). Individual faculty members retain primary responsibility for assigning grades and evaluations. If the matter cannot be resolved at that level, the grievance must be submitted in writing to the respondent with a copy of the respondent’s School Dean. If the matter is not resolved by the written response provided by the respondent, the student may submit a written appeal to the School Dean. If the grievance is not resolved by the School Dean’s decision, the student may make a written appeal to the Dean of Graduate or Undergraduate Education, and the deal will appoint and convene an Academic Appeals Panel. The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final. The results of the academic appeals process will be distributed to all involved parties. Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations. Incomplete As per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work
Withdrawal from Class
Student Grievance Procedures
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Grades
unavoidably missed at the semester’s end and only if 70% of the course work has been completed. An incomplete grade must be resolved within eight (8) weeks from the first day of the subsequent long semester. If the required work to complete the course and to remove the incomplete grade is not submitted by the specified deadline, the incomplete grade is changed automatically to a grade of F. The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational opportunities equal to those of their non-disabled peers. Disability Services is located in room 1.610 in the Student Union. Office hours are Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The contact information for the Office of Disability Services is: The University of Texas at Dallas, SU 22 PO Box 830688 Richardson, Texas 75083-0688 (972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY) Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make those reasonable adjustments necessary to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability. For example, it may be necessary to remove classroom prohibitions against tape recorders or animals (in the case of dog guides) for students who are blind. Occasionally an assignment requirement may be substituted (for example, a research paper versus an oral presentation for a student who is hearing impaired). Classes enrolled students with mobility impairments may have to be rescheduled in accessible facilities. The college or university may need to provide special services such as registration, notetaking, or mobility assistance. It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an accommodation. Disability Services provides students with letters to present to faculty members to verify that the student has a disability and needs accommodations. Individuals requiring special accommodation should contact the professor after class or during office hours.
Disability Services
Religious Holy Days
The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required activities for the travel to and observance of a religious holy day for a religion whose places of worship are exempt from property tax under Section 11.20, Tax Code, Texas Code Annotated. The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as possible regarding the absence, preferably in advance of the assignment. The student, so excused, will be allowed to take the exam or complete the assignment within a reasonable time after the absence: a period equal to the length of the absence, up to a maximum of one week. A student who notifies the instructor and completes any missed exam or assignment may not be penalized for the absence. A student who fails to complete the exam or assignment within the prescribed period may receive a failing grade for that exam or assignment. If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the purpose of observing a religious holy day] or if there is similar disagreement about whether the student has been given a reasonable time to complete any missed assignments or examinations, either the student or the instructor may request a ruling from the chief executive officer of the institution, or his or her designee. The chief executive officer or designee must take into account the legislative intent of TEC 51.911(b), and the student and instructor will abide by the decision of the chief
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executive officer or designee. Off-Campus Instruction and Course Activities Off-campus, out-of-state, and foreign instruction and activities are subject to state law and University policies and procedures regarding travel and risk-related activities. Information regarding these rules and regulations may be found at http://www.utdallas.edu/BusinessAffairs/Travel_Risk_Activities.htm. Additional information is available from the office of the school dean.
These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.
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